Ultimate Season

Matt: The Ultimate Season has started once again, We played last night for one and a half hours, sprinting and running like loons. It's been a while and we all realised how unfit we are. Was good to get back into it though and "The Shirts" Triumph!! result!! Coming back in the second game from 8-2 down to win 10-9..

more sweat than you can possibly imagine...Nice!!

Bend me, Stretch me...

Matt: After a busy week entertaining with too many late night, early starts and working everyday I'm shattered, so I thought I'd join some friends and try out Yoga for the first time. Ohhh... Arrrhhhg... Ouch...
After stiffling a fit of laughter when the lights dimmed, the candles were lit and our host Nelson began chanting "Relaxssssssssssss... Relaxssssssssss..." like Gollum trying to chill Sam Gamgee out, we managed to compose ourselves and begin. It was very good, lying in a darkened room with an Indian incantation melodically lulling you in the background whilst we bent and stretched into numerous unnatural positions and poses and tried to control our breathing.
It really was surreal and it bought a few things home to me. Here I was, in Dubai with the Burj Al Arab all lit up just outside the window, some really great freinds around me, i'm fit and healthy with a whole life ahead of me... Even with all the stresses of work - life is really good!!!

So, will I go again? hell yeah, it was great and in combination with my other fitness activities I imagine it's gonna be very complimentary. James, Lindsey, Naomi and Fabiola all had lots of fun too, I think we might make it a regular thing... Join us if ya wanna try something a little different!!

Back in Dubai

Matt: A well spent wet week in the UK has passed. It was really great to see everyone and a shame to have missed a few people. A massive thanks to those who provided the Wilson Private Taxi service, it really helped and was very much appreciated. You know who you are!! A very special thanks to the lovely Verity for fetching from Gatwick and dropping me back to Heathrow... You're a star!! xx

While home, it was my little nephews first birthday, Happy Birthday Kalani!! Such a happy smiley kid. A real little charmer.

Trying to go home

Matt: The plan is to fly back to the UK tonight for a visit. But in light of the foiled terrorist plot at Heathrow, I'm thinking things might go a bit fruit-shaped. Luckily my flight is to Gatwick, but there is bound to be a knock on effect, from diverted flights and paranoia.
If I do make it back in the next 48 hours, I look forward to catching up with you all over the next week.
(now if only I kept my parachure from last weekend, this trip could have been a lot easier)

Just go ahead and jump...

Matt: My beautiful housemate, Naomi, in her infinite wisdom and thirst for life experience, decided that for her birthday she'd like to throw herself out of a plane!! Naomi roped a few of us in to do it with her..
Arrhhhhhhhggggg - Why did I say yes??

Why? Because it's amazing..

A daredevil troop of 5 of us, Jumping Jo Raybould, Free-falling Fiona McDougall, Mad for It Maria Crellin, No Fear Naomi Moore and myself, crammed into Maria's Prado and took flight (literally) from Dubai and drove to Um Al Quain.
The tension was pretty high as we chewed up the kilometers of road before us, the sign for 35km came into sight and the car went silent, as all our thoughts turned inwards, one and all questioning the decisions we'd made weeks before when Naomi casually asked if we'd like to do a Tandem Sky Dive.

The dusty Um Al Quain Airfield eventually came into sight, nervous laughter and silly jokes abound. After completing the insurance waiver, that mentioned "chance of death" far too many times for my liking, we were guided across the tarmac to the hangar and packing room, where our brief training commenced.

We were then taken up in a small prop-plane one-by-one to jump from 10,000 feet, 6,000 of which was in freefall. What an amazing experience!! I highly recommend it. The sheer thrill of hanging out of an open door on a small plane when the ground below you seems like looking at ordinance survey map, with the wind racing past you is enough of a rush for anyone, but then tipping yourself over the edge and falling into the void kicks your adrenalin to an incredible level!! At over 200 km per hour, you start to appreciate speed, 6000 feet in about 30 secs..WOW!!!
enjoy the pics..
Fiona practices freefall...

Naomi all geared up and ready to go, Our first Victim - Well she was the birthday girl

Yes it's time, Yes you have to get in the plane

She did it..

Jo, so brave!!! Nice suit too

Maria's turn

Our taxi to the sky

Awaiting my turn.. I was voted to go last.. GREAT!!! NOT!

Decided against the clown outfit.Getting strapped up!

Walking the line

I did it!!! It was incredible - such a rush...

Thanks to our support team: Christian, Ben, Andy and Leanne who came with supplies and cake for the Birthday Girl. Also thanks to all those who met us at Apres for a great meal after the Sky Diving - it was really appreciated and great to know we have such a good crowd of friends.

Happy Birthday Naomi - That's one not to be forgotten, Loads of Love Always.